Expansion joint with thermal transition connector

Abstract

A modified expansion joint to provide a transition from one conduit to an adjacent conduit. The expansion joint includes a flexible coupling member and an angled transition leg having insulation on both sides thereof. The flexible coupling member takes up any variations in dimensional differences between the adjacent conduits. The transition leg provides a gradual thermal transition from a hot upstream conduit to a downstream conduit at a lower exterior surface temperature.

We claim: 
     
       1. An expansion joint to provide a coupling between: i) a first conduit capable of transporting a fluid and having external insulation of a certain thickness thereon; and ii) a second conduit capable of transporting the fluid and having internal insulation of a certain thickness thereon, the expansion joint comprising: a. a transition leg couplable to the first conduit, said transition leg having an angled portion with a first end for coupling to the first conduit and a second end fixed to a connector leg thereof, wherein said angled portion forms an obtuse angle between said first end and said second end;   b. a connector frame couplable to the second conduit; and   c. a flexible connector connected to said connector leg and for connecting said transition leg to said connector frame,   wherein said angled portion of said transition leg extends at an angle away from said connector leg toward the first conduit.   
     
     
       2. The expansion joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said angled portion of said transition leg has an exterior face and an interior face, wherein said exterior face is in contact with the exterior insulation of the first conduit. 
     
     
       3. The expansion joint as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an interior transition insulation material designed to be in contact with said interior face of said angled portion. 
     
     
       4. The expansion joint as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a liner for retaining said interior transition insulation material adjacent to said interior face of said angled portion. 
     
     
       5. The expansion joint as claimed in claim 4 wherein said liner includes a first end and a second end, said transition leg further comprising a liner shelf coupled to said first end of said angled portion for slidably retaining said first end of said liner thereon as the expansion joint expands and contracts. 
     
     
       6. The expansion joint as claimed in claim 5 wherein said connector frame includes a first end coupled to said flexible connector, a second end couplable to the second conduit, and a connector plate therebetween having an interior face and an exterior face, said expansion joint further comprising a connector insulative material adjacent to said interior face of said connector plate. 
     
     
       7. The expansion joint as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a transition insulative material retained within a space between said transition leg and said connector frame. 
     
     
       8. The expansion joint as claimed in claim 7 wherein said flexible connector is a high-temperature insulation material selected from the group consisting of refractory or ceramic insulation materials. 
     
     
       9. The expansion joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said angled portion of said transition leg is sized and angled such that its temperature at said first end thereof is substantially the same as the first temperature in the first conduit and near ambient temperature at said second end thereof. 
     
     
       10. The expansion joint as claimed in claim 9 wherein said angled portion is angled at an angle of about 15° to about 25° from a plane defined by said connector leg of said transition leg.